About to begin his NHL draft year, Barrett Hayton is certainly aware of what’s at stake for him.

But the Soo Greyhounds second-year forward is doing his best to think of only one thing: Helping the team win games.

Fresh from an impressive rookie season, the 17-year-old (2000 birth year) is considered one of the Ontario Hockey League’s up-and-coming standouts.

He competes at a very-high level, plays with a physical edge and combines that hard-nosed approach with good hands and a hard, accurate shot.

Hayton was ranked the No. 17 overall prospect in the first edition of The Hockey News 2018 draft ratings. Next year’s draft is slated for June 22-23 in Dallas.

The six-foot-one, 190-pounder built on that lofty projection this summer.

Hayton put together a highly-impressive performance while helping Team Canada’s under-18 squad win the gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

He called the rating by The Hockey News “a special thing to see, and agreed next summer’s draft is “a big thing.”

But Hayton, who can play either centre or the wing, says he’s determined not to think too far ahead.

"I’ve been focusing on not putting a lot of attention into something that’s so far away,” he said. “Instead, I’m thinking about what’s coming up, which is this season. First and foremost is the team and we’re looking forward to having a successful year.”

The Hounds continue the exhibition campaign on Friday when they visit the Sudbury Wolves for a 7:05 p.m. start.

The same teams meet again on Sunday in a 2:07 p.m. Essar Centre start.

The regular season begins Sept. 23 at Essar Centre with the Hounds entertaining Oshawa at 7:07 p.m.

Asked about representing his country, Hayton called playing in the Hlinka tourney “an amazing experience.”

The success he experienced there “helped my confidence. It was definitely good to play against some of the best in the world in my age group.”

A year ago, Hayton, taken by the Hounds with the ninth overall choice in the 2016 OHL draft, scored nine times and assisted on 18 others in 63 games.

Asked if he has a goal as far as point production this season, Hayton said he’s simply focusing on playing well on every shift in every game.

"If I do that,” he added, “the numbers won’t be an issue.”

Agreeing his skating is probably the area of his game most in need of improvement, Hayton spoke of how he worked out with a technical skating coach over the summer.

The hard work is paying dividends, and Hayton said he has “definitely” seen improvement in that area.

"I’m excited about the season,” he added. “I’m just working on being better in all areas.”